This time the joke's on us: Palm Beach Improv closing doors at The Square in West Palm

Wayne Washington, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·3 min read

Entertainment at The Square is set to take another hit Sunday, when the Palm Beach Improv will hold its last show before closing its doors and moving to another location.

Along with Copper Blues Rock Pub, which closed on Monday, and the AMC West Palm movie theater, which closed on April 30, the Improv is the third entertainment facility in the last three weeks to announce its departure from the downtown West Palm Beach shopping and entertainment district, where massive commercial development plans are on the drawing board.

In a note to its supporters, Improv managers wrote that the venue, which has hosted performances for 22 years in the district originally known as CityPlace, is closing "due to the new development plans at CityPlace beyond our control."

Comedian Gary Owen will perform Sunday on the Improv's last day at its current location.

"We can't thank you enough for your amazing support over the years, and we look forward to seeing you at our new Palm Beach location soon!" the note stated.

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That new location would appear to be Royal Palm Beach’s Tuttle Royale, an ambitious dining, shopping and entertainment complex destined for Southern Boulevard and State Road 7. Tuttle Royale is not expected to open until fall 2025.

Copper Blues, which shares a partner with the Improv, is moving to Tuttle Royale.

"We’ll be moving out there together,” said Rene Harte, a partner with both Copper Blues and the Improv.

Kevin Hart is one of many comedians who performed at the Palm Beach Improv at The Square. The club will close its doors this weekend and move to a new location.
Kevin Hart is one of many comedians who performed at the Palm Beach Improv at The Square. The club will close its doors this weekend and move to a new location.

The move was not part of the plan for Copper Blues, Harte told The Palm Beach Post.

"It was not our decision at all,” Harte said. “The Square has other plans for the building. They are building high-rises. We did not want to go. We love it here.”

Related Cos., a New York-based company that built The Square, plans to construct two office towers on the Hibiscus Street site now occupied by the movie theater. The developer plans to build another office tower on Fern Street next to the Brightline train station.

Palm Beach County wants to see more hotel space in the area to accommodate the nearby Palm Beach County Convention Center.

West Palm Beach recently approved technical land use changes that would accommodate Related's plans and those of the county.

The Improv has been a staple at The Square for many years along with the movie theater, which recently closed.
The Improv has been a staple at The Square for many years along with the movie theater, which recently closed.

Improv managers reminded fans of the role it played in West Palm Beach over the years.

"Since the opening of the historic Palm Beach Improv over twenty years ago, the world has changed drastically, but the laughter has kept you coming back despite torrential rainfall, hurricanes and even a global pandemic," the note states. "No matter what the change in circumstance, our doors were always quick to open and welcome everyone who needed an escape from the daily grind."

Some of the biggest names in comedy performed at the Improv, including Kevin Hart, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jo Koy, Jim Gaffigan, Frank Caliendo, Gabriel Iglesias, Rickey Smiley and Anjelah Johnson.

Sebastian Maniscalco was one of many comedians who performed at the Palm Beach Improv over the years.
Sebastian Maniscalco was one of many comedians who performed at the Palm Beach Improv over the years.

"They each brought their own stories making nights at the Improv unforgettable!" the note states.

As news of the Improv's closing spread, some took to Facebook to register their disappointment.

"Sad to see it go," one man posted. "The Improv took the place of the Care Free theater after it closed. Don't think many people realize what a destination West Palm was for so many comedians."

A comedian performs at The Palm Beach Improv on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
A comedian performs at The Palm Beach Improv on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

Others noted the impending development planned for The Square and said they weren't surprised by the move west.

"Very disappointed," one woman posted.

Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter @waynewashpbpost. Help support our work; subscribe today.

Palm Beach Post food critic Liz Balmaseda contributed to this report.

Due to the new development plans at City Place beyond our control

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Improv closing at The Square, moving to Tuttle Royale